Is Huddersfield Safe for Students?

Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially when you’re not sure how safe the area is. We asked two international students about their experience of Huddersfield so far.

The students who contributed to the blog are

As a current student studying in the university, I sometimes stay up late studying at the university to work on my assignments. Also, like many of you, I love exploring the town and the nearby beautiful cities during weekends or after lectures, especially when I first moved here. However, one of the main concerns for both parents and students is how to stay safe while at university. – Zea

 

Security on Campus

To ensure the campus and students’ safety, the university established a dedicated security team who work in the Security Hub. It is open and staffed 24/7, they provide security advice and assistance. They are also available through a 24-hour helpline (their number is found on the back of your student card).

One of the services offered by the security team includes help booking a trusted taxi services to help you to get home if you feel unsafe after a late night out. The professionally trained security staff are conveniently accessible to students, and they are always happy to help.

Our unsung heroes of the University: Phil Hardy, our Safer Student Police Officer who ensures a safe environment for students. No matter how small or big our concerns are, he is always there for students if we wish to report any suspicious activity to him! Besides this, there are safety leaflets around campus, reminding students with proper awareness and precautionary measures to handle hazards confidently and prioritise their health and safety.

Kiana recalled – During my first month in Huddersfield, I was feeling the buzz of student life. But as luck would have it, I managed to misplace my phone not once, but twice! Now, you might expect panic to set in and worry that you’d never see your phone again, but here's the kicker – both times, my trusty phone found its way back to me within the hour! Can you believe it? That's the kind of honesty and community spirit you'll find here in Huddersfield and on our campus.

On weekdays, the university building doors are automatically secured after 5pm, which means only students with valid Student ID cards get access. On weekends, a student ID card is required to enter all the buildings, making sure if you come onto campus on the weekend (for work or leisure) you will be secure. This action helps to reduce the risk of unauthorised access by outsiders.

Zea adds - The well-lit campus in the evening is crucial for students like me who stay up late to study or engage in sports activities. This environment offers me a sense of security and peace of mind after a long day at the university.

The town

Although, Huddersfield and small towns are much safer than bigger cities, there is still a chance of becoming a target for criminals. However, students in Huddersfield are lucky because campus is located in the centre of the town, which tends to be safer due to the number of people, especially during weekends. Also, it is common to see police officers moving around the campus and town to assure people’s safety.

Accommodation

Kiana (Who lives at Storthes Hall Park) says - Here, night security keeps a watchful eye over us, making sure we sleep soundly knowing that someone's got our back. And if ever there's a hiccup, just raise a ticket, and voila – help arrives faster than you can say "safety first"!

The student accommodation at Huddersfield is usually patrolled by the security and locked with keys or cards, meaning only students who live at the accommodation can gain access to the buildings.

 

Final Words

Zea closed with - Overall, I feel safe and secure both on and off campus in the amazing town of Huddersfield. We can’t prevent danger from happening, but we can minimise the risks by taking smart approaches. I hope that all the information and advice above makes you feel reassured about your safety in Huddersfield and gives you some more awareness of how to remain proactive and utilise the resources in the university to make sure you have the safest time you can. I hope to see you in the University of Huddersfield!